Japan concerned over Russian plan to set up base on Kuril Islands

Japan has conveyed its concern to Moscow over possible Russian plans to build a naval base on a western Pacific island chain, part of which are claimed by Tokyo, a top Japanese government spokesman said on Monday, the latest in a long-running territorial spat.

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A Russian vessel off the coast of Southern Kuril Island of Shikotan

Tokyo’s action follows Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu’s comment last week that Russia would study the possibility of building a naval base on what it calls the Kuril islands.

Japan claims a southern segment of the island chain, which was seized by Soviet troops at the end of World War Two. The territorial row has kept the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty since.

The disputed islands are called the Northern Territories in Japan and Southern Kurils in Russia. Read More